The Fairbairn system of hand-to-hand combat, initially called 'Defendu,' draws from boxing, wrestling, savate, jujutsu, and judo, as well as Fairbairn's experiences in police work. Designed for simplicity and effectiveness, it was first published in 1926 and later reprinted in 1931. The book illustrates this method, leading to some confusion among early readers who mistakenly believed the techniques were primarily rooted in Eastern martial arts.
One of the most influential combat shooting books ever published, Shooting to Live is the product of Capt. W.E. Fairbairn's and Capt. E.A. Sykes' practical experience with the handgun from their many close-quarters gunfights while working for the Shanghai Municipal Police in the 1930s. This expanded edition contains a new foreword by British World War II combatives expert Phil Mathews, which sheds new light on the career of E.A. Sykes - the "forgotten hero" of the Fairbairn-Sykes duo - as well as previously unpublished photos. Hundreds of actual incidents provided the basis for this first true instruction manual on life-or-death shootouts with the pistol. In clear, concise terms, the book teaches the concepts, considerations and applications of combat pistolcraft. A foreword by Col. Rex Applegate explains how Fairbairn and Sykes introduced their groundbreaking methods into American military training circles at the height of World War II.
Get Tough! is the fully illustrated manual of lethal unarmed combat methods taught to British and US Special Forces in the Second World War by Major W E Fairbairn. The methods used in this book should only be employed when life is in danger from an attacker, since correctly applied they can kill or maim an opponent.
The distilled knowledge of W.E. Fairbairn, legendary SOE instructor in unarmed combat, and inventor of the Sykes-Fairbairn knife, who learned his deadly skills in 30 years on the Shanghai waterfront. Fully illustrated.
Focusing on self-defense tailored for women, "Hands Off!" provides practical techniques to empower them during the Second World War. Major Fairbairn addresses the unique physical disadvantages women may face, offering strategies specifically designed for their use. The methods are grounded in real-world scenarios, ensuring that readers can effectively respond to potential threats. This guide not only enhances personal safety but also contributes to women's roles in the wartime effort.
W.E. Fairbairn, a renowned instructor in unarmed combat and co-creator of the Sykes-Fairbairn knife, shares his extensive expertise gained from three decades on the Shanghai waterfront. This fully illustrated guide encapsulates his distilled knowledge, showcasing techniques that influenced modern combat training. Additionally, Fairbairn's legacy may have inspired the Q Branch in Ian Fleming's James Bond series, highlighting his impact on both military and popular culture.
This book presents a classic hand-to-hand combat system developed by Fairbairn, combining practical experience with elements of jujutsu and boxing. Designed specifically for training the Shanghai Municipal Police, it emphasizes effective techniques for real-world situations. The system reflects a blend of martial arts that prioritizes efficiency and adaptability in combat scenarios.
W. E. Fairbairn, a renowned instructor in unarmed combat and the creator of the Sykes-Fairbairn knife, shares his extensive expertise in this illustrated guide. The book features colorized images that enhance the learning experience, making it a valuable resource for those interested in self-defense techniques and military training.
Get Tough! is the fully illustrated manual of lethal unarmed combat methods taught to British and US Special Forces in the Second World War by Major W E Fairbairn, co-inventor of the Sykes-Fairbairn knife, and senior instructor to WW2's Special Forces.
"Get tough, get down in the gutter, win at all costs... I teach what is called 'Gutter Fighting.' There's no fair play, no rules except one: kill or be killed." - W.E. Fairbairn Learn self-defense from one of the most badass hand-to-hand combat experts the world has ever seen! W. E. Fairbairn is an absolute legend in the world of martial arts. He is credited with inventing the SWAT team, riot police, bullet-proof vest, and the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife used to this day by Special Forces, Marines, and Armies around the world. After enlisting in the British Royal Marines at age 16, Fairbairn spent the years between 1903 and 1907 stationed in Japan and Korea eagerly studying every form of martial art he came across. Fairbairn then accepted a position as a patrolman with the Shanghai Municipal Police department, which, in the early days of the 20th Century, was struggling against seemingly endless swarms of organized criminals and violent gangsters. Tasked with training the underfunded department, Fairbairn wove together his military training, mastery of Eastern martial arts, and everything he learned from personal experience street-fighting deadly criminals into a new style of no-holds-barred, 'gutter-fighting' called Defendu. In the 35 years he spent walking the streets of Shanghai, Fairbairn allegedly survived over 600 physical engagements, the violence of which left his body covered head-to-toe with the scars of knife and bullet wounds. Upon leaving Shanghai Fairbairn accepted a job to train elite agents for the British Secret Service in anticipation of WWII. Written in 1931, after 20 years on the gritty, lawless streets of Shanghai, Scientific Self-Defense is a no-nonsense guide to protecting yourself by any means necessary against any conceivable assailant. With hundreds of diagrams and photos illustrating Defendu's time-honored defensive maneuvers and brutal retaliatory attacks, Scientific Self-Defense will teach you everything you need to know about kicking ass and taking names!
